PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AMONG HIV PATIENTS IN 44 NIGERIA ARMY REFERENCE HOSPITAL KADUNA (44 NARHK)

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health problem with socio-economic burden as well as threat for development. Another disease of almost equivalent magnitude is malaria, which is ravaging almost all the tropical regions of the world, particularly the developing countries, including Nigeria. The consequence of these two deadly diseases haboured in a person is very enormous. It is in this perspective that we studied the prevalence of malaria among the HIV/AIDS patients attending the 44 Nigeria Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna with a view to highlight the severity of the condition in a military set up and consequently suggest ways of amenorating the patients’ condition in order to improve their longevity. Blood samples of 250 HIV patients within the age group of 15-55 years in 44 Nigeria Army Reference Hospital Kaduna were screened for the prevalence of malaria. The subjects were made up of 85 (34%) males and 165 (66%) females. In all, 148 (59.2%) were positive for malaria. The highest prevalence of malaria (61.2%) was observed among age group 31-45 years. The low class for the social status had the highest prevalence of (77.14%), out of the three social status classes examined. The sex distribution of parasitemia revealed a higher prevalence of (73.24%) among the females. Based on the result it was recommended that patients be diagnosed routinely and treated as required for malaria. It is equally important that patients sleep under insecticide-treated nets.